On your own in Tanzania - self drive

[Moody]

Not being a parent, I might be the wrong person to ask, but my answer would be: Go! I wish someone had taken me when I was five or nine.

Our kids are 7 and 5 and we are trying to go back next year with them. This time we plan on driving all the way around Lake Victoria and staying with different missionary friends we know in each country. We did the math and we know people spaced out almost a days drive every day. Our friends in Mwanza have two boys as well that age and we hope to all go together. Four adults and five kids under the age of 8.

The hardest part of doing africa with kids that age is you have to buy them a full price plane ticket to get there. My family of four will cost almost 9 grand:Wow1:

Go for it.

Thanks for the info. We have been discussing a trip for when Hilary finishes up her graduate work, so this is yet another option.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Someday, I would really like to travel in just the same manner-on a self drive trip.

In you opinion, would bringing a 5 and 9 year old on such a trip be out of the question? (Both are fairly well-traveled, and behave quite well)

Yes, YES, and YES! My parents lived in Zambia Africa for three years from the time I was 8 until I turned 11. Your kids especially your 9 year old will remember the trip the rest of their lives. I think its good for kids in the US to experience other cultures and countries, it gives them an appreciation for how good life is in this country and realize there are other countries besides the state next to them. I have kids and if I could afford it I would take them in a heart beat. I am going to take them to Baja in a couple of years instead.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Hear hear! Well said.

 

[DKB2GO]

Jonathan --

Thanks for sharing this. Shipping an overland vehicle to Africa is a pretty big deal. While I don't rule out the possibility that I would undertake that one day, this is a great alternative affording enough options and flexibility to ensure a rich adventure. Again, I appreciate the post and love the pics.

Regards,

David

 

[David Harris]

Not being a parent, I might be the wrong person to ask, but my answer would be: Go! I wish someone had taken me when I was five or nine.

I've been debating this very question myself. I'm taking my vehicle over to the Middle East and Africa in about a year and a half to do some extended archaeological surveys, and have been thinking of bringing my ten year old daughter with me. I think it would be a great opportunity for her to gain early experience of other cultures and overall world perspective.

David

 

[luangwablondes]

I've been debating this very question myself. I'm taking my vehicle over to the Middle East and Africa in about a year and a half to do some extended archaeological surveys, and have been thinking of bringing my ten year old daughter with me. I think it would be a great opportunity for her to gain early experience of other cultures and overall world perspective.

A lot of people do it. There are expats that take their children. I would go over the malaria issue with someone knowledgeable in tropical diseases- specifically malaria and children. Not just an MD that opens a book to see what is recommended. I've seen that book at Scripps, and would never go by it.

 

[GetOutThere]

Excellent post! I had no idea such options were available at a price this reasonable.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Thanks - feel free to PM me if you'd like more details.

 

[007]

Jonathan, please post up the dates you plan on presenting the class. I would like to attend. Sounds like a good excuse to visit AZ in the Winter

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Sorry - just got back into town and saw this. We'll have a class on all the ins and outs of self-drive journeys in Africa at the Overland Expo, April 1-3, as part of the weekend package that includes a truckload of other classes of your choice. We're hoping that Paul and Erika Sweet of Shaw Safaris will have a booth there too. Here's the website:

Overland Expo

 

[007]

Sorry - just got back into town and saw this. We'll have a class on all the ins and outs of self-drive journeys in Africa at the Overland Expo, April 1-3, as part of the weekend package that includes a truckload of other classes of your choice. We're hoping that Paul and Erika Sweet of Shaw Safaris will have a booth there too. Here's the website:

Overland Expo

Thank you for the link, I would like to attend but my work is seasonal and the first week of every April is booked!

I think your class would be an excellent opportunity to break the ice in Africa. The self drive seems the best option all around, so all a person would need to know is where to rent, and places to go. Once you have that nailed down you can really start researching the area and culture.

I won't be going until my daughter gets a bit older so maybe I'll be able to catch it another date

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Don't wait too long! We've seen kids as young as six and seven having the times of their lives in Africa, and they're already at the stage when the experience will have a lasting impact.

 

[tommudd]

I see no reason to not take kids of most any age. Young babaies of course would be an exception, but after 4 or 5 go for it!.
Any one who has thought or dreamed of someday going to East Africa and more importantly Tanzania should do it now!
Don't put it off and think next year. It is truly a trip of a lifetime.
Just remember which side of the road you're suppose to be on, watch for bicycles carrying huge loads of charcoal, and at night thers always someone walking right where you need to be driving!:smiley_drive:
My first trip I thought I would have trouble switching from left hand drive to right hand drive, but within 10 feet I was ready to go and never thought about it.
If you need additional contacts I know several as well, in Moshi ( my In Laws) Dodoma ( my wife) her sister in Mwanza and my Brother In Law who is the meterolgists at the Kilimanjaro Airport. Also friends who have a Safari Company in Arusha.
No matter what its sometimes good to have some extra contacts ...just in case.

 

[cweight]

"In your opinion, would bringing a 5 and 9 year old on such a trip be out of the question? (Both are fairly well-traveled, and behave quite well) "

I agree with all the support for traveling with kids. My only hesitation about traveling with children is into a malarial zone before they are old enough to take malaria meds. Our last trip to Africa, our son was seven months old, so we stuck to the dry (non-malarial) parts of Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana. Once they are old enough to malarial meds, then go for it!